Meyer says off week came at a good time

By TIM MAY

This bye week came at a good time for unbeaten Ohio State, coach Urban Meyer said tonight, and he meant as much for a chance for the team to reload psychologically as anything else.

After three straight practices through tomorrow, he will give the team the weekend off, during which time he expects the players to gain some rest and stick with their weight regimen. It also will give the them more time to rebound from the loss of captain and safety Christian Bryant, one of the team’s prominent leaders, two weeks ago to a broken ankle.

“That was a stinger,” Meyer said. “Then Jordan Hall not being (able to play at Northwestern due to a knee problem), those are two juice players who were yanked out of your lineup and locker room. That’s the worst part of this whole game, and that takes a toll on people.”

Meyer said Hall returned to practice “and he actually did some stuff today. So I hope we get him back soon.”

Meanwhile, defensive coordinator Luke Fickell said it appears sophomore defensive tackle Tommy Schutt is on schedule to return to action Oct.19 when the Buckeyes resume play hosting Iowa. Schutt broke a bone in his lower leg in preseason.

On the field, Meyer said effort is being made to work freshman speedster Dontre Wilson more into the offense after a week in which he saw limited action at Northwestern. Meyer and offensive coordinator Tom Herman said they wanty Wilson to assert himself in terms of being a more well-rounded player.

“He’s got to become a football player,” Meyer said. “Right now he’s a novelty. He goes out there, runs a swing pass, we throw it to him.”

They want to head into the last six games of the regular season with Wilson playing a more prominent role, especially from the threat standpoint.